1 Timothy 4–6

“Fight the Good Fight of Faith”

Satan seeks to destroy Heavenly Father’s children and the Church. Paul gave Timothy important counsel that he was to “command and teach” (1 Timothy 4:11) so the faithful Saints could be preserved and protected from Satan’s power. If we follow Paul’s counsel, we will also have the power to win our battle with the adversary and “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Understanding the Scriptures

1 Timothy 4

Reproach (v. 10)Rebuke

Despise (v. 12)Look down on, despise

Exhortation (v. 13)Preaching

1 Timothy 4:2—“Having Their Conscience Seared with a Hot Iron”

cautering iron

Cautering iron

Hot irons were sometimes used to cauterize (burn) skin tissue and seal wounds to stop them from bleeding. Paul used this intense image to explain that in the last days there would be some whose consciences would be hardened or sealed off because of unrighteousness. The Book of Mormon prophets described them as being “past feeling” (1 Nephi 17:45; Moroni 9:20).

1 Timothy 4:3—“Forbidding to Marry, and Commanding to Abstain from Meats”

Paul prophesied that in the latter times there would be some who would follow the false practices of forbidding to marry and abstaining from meat. Read Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–21 and learn what the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith on these two subjects.

1 Timothy 5

Piety (v. 4)Loyalty, devotion, reverence

Requite (v. 4)Repay

Infidel (v. 8)Unbeliever

Begun to wax wanton against Christ (v. 11)Sexual desires that overcome one’s commitment to Christ

Tattlers (v. 13)Gossipers

1 Timothy 6

Unrebukeable (v. 14)Not deserving punishment

Potentate (v. 15)Absolute ruler

Studying the Scriptures

Do the following activity as you study 1 Timothy 4–6.

1. Apply Paul’s Teachings to Your Day

   1. Read and think about what Paul taught in 1 Timothy 6:11–12. Write a paragraph in your notebook that summarizes what these verses mean to you.

   2. Select two teachings each from 1 Timothy 4, 5, and 6 that you believe are most needed in your school. List the teachings, the verses where you found the teachings, and why you think they are important for today.